By Akpos Oje
A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has dismissed a preliminary objection filed by social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in a ₦1 billion defamation suit brought against him by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, rapper and activist Folarin Falana (Falz).
Justice Fimisola Azeez, who delivered the ruling, ordered VDM to pay ₦200,000 in costs — ₦100,000 each to the plaintiffs — and directed him to immediately file his defense in the suit.
The defamation claims stem from an Instagram video posted by VDM on September 24, 2024, which the Falanas allege contained libellous, injurious, and scandalous statements against them.
In their suit, they are seeking ₦500 million each in damages, a public apology published across VDM’s social media platforms and in a national newspaper, and a perpetual injunction restraining him from making similar defamatory publications in the future.
During the court proceedings, Femi Falana was represented by counsel, while Folarin Falana was present in person. VDM, although absent, was represented by his lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe. The influencer had argued that the Lagos High Court lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the case, but the court dismissed the claim after the Falanas countered with a supporting affidavit. The case was adjourned to July 8, 2025, for mention.
In a related development, Justice Mathias Dawodu had earlier struck out a preemptive application filed by the Falanas on October 14, 2024, declaring it “spent” and “academic” since the substantive defamation suit was already pending before Justice Azeez. VDM had also filed another objection citing a “multiplicity of actions” and seeking a stay of proceedings, but this too was dismissed by the court, affirming that the primary case must proceed.
